These gluten free lemon bars will impress even the most skeptical folks in your crowd. Seriously delicious! And they’ll be seriously gone, so you’d better double the recipe!
I don’t know what it is about this easy little treat — maybe the mystery is in its simplicity — but they are universally loved and bring a smile to anyone’s face as they savor the subtle tart/sweetness that is so perfectly blended in a gluten free lemon bar. There’s just no reason not to be able to still enjoy that simple pleasure, gluten free.
Like anything else, the key is in the ingredients. If you use gritty rice flour or funky bean flours, for example, these creamy lemon bars will never bring the delight they ought to.
Use high quality, smooth and light gluten free flours, as in my gfJules™ flour blend. You’ll never look back once your recipes are this delicious!
Gluten Free Lime Bars
Oh, and how pretty are these GREEN lime bars?? Think St. Patrick’s Day or Earth Day or any day you want to add a pop of yummy green to your menu. Equally delicious either way.
Use lemons or limes, and even add a drop of food coloring to make these the perfect treat for St. Patrick’s Day!
Gluten Free Cherry Bars
Or here’s another fun twist: gluten free CHERRY bars! For Valentine’s Day, these are a great way to celebrate!
In place of the lemon juice, add tart cherry juice or cherry liqueur. In place of the lemon or lime zest, add a few diced, frozen cherries.
Reduce the cherry juice by 1 tablespoon if adding the diced cherries since they add their own liquid. You’ll probably also want to add a splash of food coloring to give the red some oomph!
Baking Tips for Gluten Free Lemon, Lime or Cherry Bars
A couple tips on making these treats. They’re super easy, but the first time you make the crust, you may think you’ve done something wrong because it’s very crumby.
Don’t worry! Once you press it into the bottom of the pan and then it bakes, you’ll be good to go! (line the pan with parchment paper for even easier removal and clean-up!)
To recap:
This is how the crust should look when you’re done mixing it. Do not over-mix it!
Then press it into the bottom of an un-oiled or parchment-lined pan (photo below is of a doubled recipe):
The crust is akin to a shortbread cookie, so it should be on the buttery-dry side before baking.
After it bakes, the top will be a golden brown. That’s the way it’s supposed to be!
Once you sprinkle powdered sugar on top, they’ll look and taste like the gluten free lemon bars you were looking for!
Enjoy these springy treats anytime you need a little sunshine in your life!
Gluten Free Lemon Bars Recipe
Gluten Free Lemon Bars Recipe
These gluten free lemon bars will impress even the most skeptical folks in your crowd. Seriously delicious! And they'll be seriously gone, so you'd better double the recipe!
Ingredients
crust ingredients:
- 1/3 cup (5 1/3 Tbs.) butter or non-dairy alternative (e.g. Earth Balance Buttery Sticks®)
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated cane sugar
- 1 cup (135 grams) gfJules™ All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
filling ingredients
- 2 eggs (or egg substitute of choice, such as 1/2 cup extra firm tofu blended with 1 tsp. baking powder)
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated cane sugar
- 2 Tbs. (17 grams) gfJules™ All Purpose Gluten Free Flour
- 2 tsp. finely shredded lemon or lime zest (don't skip this ingredient if making lemon or lime bars!) OR 3 diced frozen cherries
- 3 Tbs. lemon juice or lime juice or cherry juice / liqueuer
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- food coloring, if desired (yellow or green)
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
Crust Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º F.
In a medium bowl, beat butter with a mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/4 cup of sugar; beat until combined.
Beat in the 1 cup of gfJules™ flour until crumbly, being careful not to over-mix. Press mixture into the bottom of an un-oiled or parchment-lined 8x8x2 baking pan.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden.
Filling Directions:
Combine eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and baking powder; beat 2 minutes or until thoroughly combined.
Pour filling over baked crust. Bake 20 minutes more or until set and lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars only when completely cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.
Notes
This recipe doubles nicely when baked in a 9×13 pan.
*Note: if making cherry bars and using diced frozen cherries as well, reduce cherry juice to 2 Tbs.
Nutrition Information
Yield 20 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 70Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 19mgSodium 14mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 0gSugar 16gProtein 1g
Please keep in mind that nutrition information provided is per serving, which may vary. While we have taken care to provide you with the most accurate nutritional values possible, please note that this information may differ significantly depending on the exact ingredients and brands that you choose to use to make this recipe.
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I love the recipe and I “like” your Facebook page – although, I love it, too! Thanks for the giveaway!
OMG I’d love to enter the drawing for the zester! I NEED this product!! I also have a bag of your flour so i’m going to try this lemon bar recipe. I have to go to a potluck tomorrow and it sounds perfect.
My favorite lemony recipe is savory…making paillards of chicken breast and finishing with lemon and capers. fav dessert is definitely lemon bars…although lately lemon curd and marscapone filled crepes is a close second! and italian ices. yum.
I liked you on FB and my favourite lemon thing to make is lemon pound cake. Also, an Australian company (moving into the US market at last, yaay), Melinda’s, does an awesome gf lemon curd cake mix
Liked this on FB.
I “liked” you on facebook. So glad I found you for some wonderful recipes. Thank you!
I “liked” your FB page. Thanks for the opportunity and great recipes.
Yum! I can’t wait to try this recipe. I love lemon bars and have missed them!
…and of course I have liked your Facebook page.
I liked you on FB. I love lemon bars so I will have to try these!
I just “Liked” you on Facebook (glad to know you’re there, too,’cause I love getting your newsletters!) and I can’t wait to try this recipe! I have MISSED lemon bars — so THANK YOU!
I liked your facebook page! I look forward to learning more from you =)
I love lemon bars and haven’t had them in a long long time. I’ll have to try these.
Liked you on FB.
Diana
http://www.pencildancer.com
I have been a fan on Facebook for quite awhile. I was looking for something different to make for my birthday treat (Monday, the 22nd, ironically), and these look awesome! My daughter and husband love lemon!
I liked your facebook page.
hi!
My son is allergic to wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts/peanuts, sesame, & sunflower seeds.
Question: what egg replacer would you use on this recipe? I just discovered your flour and website and it has truly changed our lives! My son finally had a biscuit for the first time in his life at age 3.5. Next I’ll try to master your bread recipes as he has never even had a sandwich.
Your recipes are very impressive and I so thankful for them. I’m looking forwarding to trying the lemon bars! They look awesome!
I posted this on my FB page. I can’t wait to try them. My family really misses lemon bars in the summer! Yummy!
I liked you on FB. Looking forward to making all kinds of lemony gluten-free goodness!
Love your fb page! My favorite is lemon bars, but I really love anything with lemon.
These were better than with wheat flour, I think I can remember! Everyone loved them.
Jeanette- fantastic! That’s what I like to hear! No compromise. None. At all.
Silly me, I had a spelling error in my e-mail on my previous post and didn’t catch it before I hit submit.
I am computer challenged this evening. I don’t see my original post, but I wanted to make sure I thanked you for all you do for the GF community! Can’t wait to make lemon bars!